Costa Mesa Police Arrest 5 in Counterfeiting Scheme

Five people suspected of running a counterfeit check ring have been arrested after one of them cashed a bogus check at a Costa Mesa bank, police said Friday.

Twice in recent weeks, counterfeit checks totaling $21,000 have been cashed at the Wells Fargo branch at 2970 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa police Sgt. Tom Boylan said. Nghia Giang Nguyen, 18, of Santa Ana, who is suspected of being the group’s leader, was the one who entered the bank on both occasions, Boylan said.

Detectives received a tip that the ring planned to target the bank a third time, Boylan said. Detectives were watching the premises when three adults and a juvenile arrived in a Lexus and BMW about 10:45 a.m. Thursday, he said.

Two of the people waited in the BMW while the other two entered the bank and cashed checks later found to be counterfeit, police said. The two who made the transaction left with more than $11,000 in cash, got into the Lexus and drove off, followed by the BMW, Boylan said.

The suspects traveled only a short distance before they were stopped and taken into custody, Boylan said. Police recovered the $11,000.

Arrested along with Nghia Nguyen on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and passing counterfeit checks were Cuong Khang Nguyen, 19, and Hien Thai Nguyen, 18, both of Santa Ana, and two juveniles, Boylan said.